Bucs Remain Solid Favorites To Win The NFC South
March 16th, 2026
Joe is sharing this post for the growing numbers of moping Bucs fans.
The sportsbooks have the Bucs as solid favorites to win the NFC South.
There’s a reason. The team with the best offensive line, the best quarterback and playmaker depth on offense almost always wins at least enough games to be competitive in a division, and usually wins the whole thing. Throw in the shaky competition in the NFC South, and it’s understandable why the Bucs are a +160 favorite this morning at the Hard Rock sportsbook, with Atlanta behind them at +250.
Carolina had the 27th-ranked offense last season in points and yards. They lost their best running back in free agency and their only additions on that side of the ball were a stop-gap left tackle, a backup center and Kenny Pickett. Yes, Carolina added two studs on defense. It seems they’ll get a lot of work.
The Saints are still rebuilding and dumped two defensive icons. Bumbling Atlanta is figuring out if it has a quarterback, who is coming off major surgery, while it works in a new head coach and a new GM, and hopes it’s defensive star doesn’t serve time.
The Joe typing here has faith Todd Bowles will do what he usually does coaching the Bucs and that last year’s late-season nosedive was the exception and not the new rule.
Winning the NFC South and going nowhere is nothing to celebrate in any way, shape of form. But it’s still a likely outcome even with Mike Evans out the door for no good reason. If you’re so sure the Bucs are headed for a toilet season, then you’re welcome to bet on that.
March 16th, 2026 at 8:52 am
Wow, where are the Bowles haters now? SHOULD BE BLAMING BOWLES FOR BEING RANKED THE BEST IN THE SOUTH!
March 16th, 2026 at 8:59 am
So what? Weren’t the Bucs favorites last year after the bye? Is it really worth celebrating when you’re the best of the worst?
Who is celebrating?–Joe
March 16th, 2026 at 9:00 am
This must be the other Joe posting something positive!
March 16th, 2026 at 9:00 am
@Joe
In that case, if you’re so sure Bowles will win the division, bet your salary on it!
Exactly where did Joe declare the Bucs would win the division? It’s March. Joe declaring the Bucs division champs now is as dumb as someone claiming they’re circling the drain. –Joe
Last season we lost three of four to division rivals after the bye week.
And that was with Mike Evans catching balls from Mayfield.
I knew these articles were coming to run coverage for the inept HC\DC.
When you wonder why the 2026 season goes up in flames, look in the mirror.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:03 am
the Bucs have won 10 division titles :
Gruden 3 – McKay 2 – Dungy 1 – Arians 1 – Bowles 3
some folks in these parts think that if Bowles gets another division title he will be the best Bucs coach ever – they will get his name tattooed on their arms in a big red heart and get moist and flustered at the mention of his name – so pathetic !
March 16th, 2026 at 9:27 am
Nice that Goedecke and McCollum restructured to help us out. They’re not exactly helping. The restructure means they get up front money so the Bucs can kick the salary cap charge down the road under NFL rules. Joe doesn’t know of a player that would turn down the up front money. Bobby Bonilla played generations ago.–Joe
McCollum lost his confidence for 5 or 6 games before his season ending injury last year. I’ve seen that happen to corners before and then they start getting targeted. Picked on. In McCollum’s case he was picked on mercilessly. Because he couldn’t, or didn’t respond. It’s concerning and may have cost us a game last year. Goedecke, there is no excuse for his bumbling mistakes a few late games and he may have cost us a game. AWJ is a good football player but I hesitate- on the 4th and 14 (3rd and 28) Vildor looked inept but that’s where Winfield should have stepped up, but didn’t. All three players are going to be awfully important to us this season. And I truly believe all 3 are better players than what I saw last season. Mayfield closed out his first 2 seasons here winning their December games. All three seasons we’ve won our final regular season game. McCollum was playing with a lousy defense. Goedecke was playing with a ragtag Oline. For Winfield, it’s high time that he stood up to the leadership role that his talent warrants. If our OLine stays healthy, our defense talent level improves, and those 3 players can step up and play anywhere near where they are getting paid, we’ll go into every single game with a solid chance to win.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:28 am
Predictions are like you know what, everyone has one. Since we lost down the stretch against all our division rivals, I wouldn’t put to much stock in his Prediction.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:29 am
We’re a better team than we were a month ago, Atlanta lost that Pierce idiot for the first month or 2 at LEAST, little short dude at Carolina will never be an offensive weapon. Saints, I think they’ll be something
March 16th, 2026 at 9:30 am
If you dislike the current team, coaching, and how it’s ran, why are you visiting a fan page daily and pumping money and viewship indirectly into the organization?
Why not just play bingo and eat jello at your retirement home?
March 16th, 2026 at 9:32 am
I am not moping but no way this team under Bowles wins the division. I don’t give a rats a$$ who declares the Bucs will win division. Agree with Joe about the offense but the defense stinks and will stink under Bowles. I have seen enough and I know exactly how this movie ends. I am a realist and not delusional like Team Delusional at One Buc Place.
And by the way, Bucs were picked to win division last year, completely sh!t the bed after a 6-2 start. Oh by the way the team quit on their coach.
March 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am
I’m usually very optimistic, but right now I’m wary. When I gamble I often bet on the team with the best quarterback + coach combination. Shough is already the second best quarterback in the division and Kellen Moore had those guys playing hard to close out the year.
The biggest reasons for hope are:
-We’ve upgraded the nastiness, violence, and speed on defense. Hopefully we’ll continue this project in the draft.
-Robinson knows how to scheme a running game better than third-down/passing game wizard Grizzard did.
March 16th, 2026 at 10:20 am
I wish next season schedule started playing the Saints, Panthers and Falcons all on the road the first 3 games. If Bowles does not go 3-0, Can Him.
Would love to see that schedule! –Joe
March 16th, 2026 at 10:40 am
“Joe declaring the Bucs division champs now is as dumb as someone claiming they’re circling the drain. –Joe”
Or calling someone MVP with two-thirds of the season left to play.
March 16th, 2026 at 10:41 am
🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂
🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
March 16th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Our QB will find away to put us in the cellar of the division!
March 16th, 2026 at 10:54 am
The Bucs and 49ers could meet in the playoffs. How ironic and quite possible.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:09 am
HeavyE Says:
March 16th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Our QB will find away to put us in the cellar of the division!
baker will most likely lead the NFL in INTs and Fumbles again..
GO BUCS!!!!
March 16th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Name the player or position that played at or above par last season:
Defense:
Vea
Parrish
Dean
Diaby
Smith
Offense:
White
Egbuka
JMac
ST
McLaughlin
Serious underperformers:
Defense:
Kancy
Riddick
Dennis
McCollum
AWJ
Braswell
Gaines
Morrison
Offense:
Baker
Bucky
Godwin
Evans
Barton
Goedeke
Wirfs
Guard L & R
ST
Dixon
Coverage and return teams
Is the failure the fault of the individual players or could it be coaching? Similar results in ’26 cannot happen. Some luck on the injury front should produce much better results. FA look promising so far and draft still to come. Maybe we can win the south again.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:38 am
The first goal and step to the post season IS to win your division. I don’t care what division or how “crappy” it might be {see Seattle}. Not to take anything away from Seattle and what they did last year but 3 of those teams in that division lost to us last year. And didn’t they all have double digit wins? Anyways, to say that winning this division is not a big deal is not accurate and borderline stupid. Does Carolina get in without the division or anyone else from this division? Nope, and look how they did in their playoff game, so anything can happen. Point is you have to get there first and then win out but you have to be on a winning streak going into the playoffs, in my opinion, so that mindset can carry on go to the SB. It may be a weak division but first ya gotta win it to get to the big dance.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
Oh goody! I can’t wait for the NFC South Championship boat parade!!
March 16th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
I don’t think there’s much doubt the Bucs have the best roster in the NFC South. They have for several years. This is a credit to Licht. But name me 1 season that Bowles has not underachieved with the roster he had.
On paper Bucs should win the NFCS by at least 2 games. In reality, it will be closer than it needs to be because of poor coaching.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
the bowles led bucs will be right around 500, same as every year. bowles is an average coach, this is an average team, winning the south is something any average team can do.
how many idiots lost their shirt last year betting on the “solid favorite” bucs to win the south.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Some of these Joes are salty soft. It’s hilarious. Only one seems to be a pansy and moderates everything.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
How about a poll of how many of have zero respect for winning a bad division? It is meaningless. Get to the NFC Championship or don’t waste our time. That should be the standard. Top 4 of 32. NFC South…
PFFTT.
March 16th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
Right now, to me, the Saints would be the favorites.
They ended last year on a roll, and will likely only be improved due to the normal leveling up of young players and a 1st year coach going into a second season.
The Bucs, meanwhile, who knows. They’ve lost multiple starters, top tier starters, and Baker was complete trash down the stretch and single handedly knocked the Bucs out of the running for the playoffs. If Baker doesn’t massively improve on his end of the year, this team isn’t winning anything. Not saying Baker, who is incredibly inconsistent, won’t look good at times – but he needs to actually play a full schedule for once and not collapse when the team needs him the most.
March 16th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
It is certainly too early to declare a division favorite but what Carolina did in FA landing Jaelan Carter and an All-Pro ILB with a clean injury history in his prime for a measly $15 mil/yr got my attention. I’m not exactly jealous. It’s a pile of money for only 2 players but the Puddy-tats defense just got serious fangs. Hopefully Canales and Tepper can goof-up what they had cooking to close out 2025.
March 16th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Interesting. I guess the NFCS is that weak? I feel like the Bucs will continue their streak of being the tallest midget at the circus.
March 16th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
Bucs need to pick up a vet OG, like free agent, Wyatt Teller, from the Browns. This guy might actually displace Cody Mauch and make him the backup.
March 16th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
We’re not called the Bucs Faithful without reason. Our current circumstances are not as dire as some choose to believe. That’s why we play the games.
March 16th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
Aim low, achieve low. The Bucs need to target winning the NFC Championship – so what are those odds? Winning the worst division in the NFL is aiming low and I hope the Bucs aren’t thinking that way.
March 16th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
mike evans did not really win us games last year except being a decoy for ee in that game winning catch to start the season.
they gotta stay healthy put the o line and d line in bubble wrap till september,
nnew oc has to be better, might be easier with less star receivers to divide the ball to,
improve the defense, they can come into 26 with hurt feelings and a chip on their shoulders and everyone saying they stink and start the year slow so as to finish strong instead of the other way around like 2025, maybe win the division…
corner back seems to be a glaring weakness now
March 16th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
I’ll never forget Bakers quote earlier in the offseason regarding Mike’s motivation. I’m paraphrasing: “Mike doesn’t want to go out like we just did. He wants to come back, have a good year and go out with another division championship”
I chuckled because it was meant to be some sort of compliment to Mike and the teams attitude but it actually showed how off base and low the bar was/is in that locker room.
Mike def didn’t want to go out like that. At least he got that part right.
March 16th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
I actually like what the Bucs have done so far this off-season. Of course losing MK13 was a huge kick in the berries, but it makes the guys we drafted for the future step up sooner. Batting 2-3 on 1st year OC’s is crazy so not surprised with Grizzards struggles. With the defense I like the type of attitude they brought in. If Bowles can get the leaving the middle wide open for 10-15 yards on 2nd, 3rd downs then I believe we’ll be good. Definitely glad Dean’s gone.
March 16th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
What consolidation prize do we get? Plus what are people smoking? We ain’t gonna win the south. I’m hopeful but c’mon, we didn’t improve much at all in free agency.
March 16th, 2026 at 6:38 pm
5-12.
March 16th, 2026 at 7:25 pm
I’m also pleased with the offseason so far minus losing Evans.
However, what I’m most pleased about is not blowing premium draft capital and tons of money on guys that are almost at 30 or past 30. The team isn’t at that stage where it will get us anything.
Signing a few stop gaps on short term contracts and focusing on the draft is exactly what I wanted so thankful for that.
March 16th, 2026 at 8:03 pm
I’m definitely glass-half-full on this season.
Licht, Bowles, Mayfield — all on the hotseat.
Especially Mayfield.
I’m really looking forward to September.
March 16th, 2026 at 8:05 pm
So, I was wrong last week about the Glazers being completely at fault for Mike Evans leaving, but it’s been made clearer by his comments & by the fact that the Glazers, at least, matched the 49ers offer, that Mike wanted to go to a contender. Why? It seems more obvious now that it was the defense & Bowles who calls that defense because if they had won even one more game, they would’ve won the South, made the playoffs, & would Evans have left the Bucs? We’ll never know. I think they had a better chance of being a contender with Mike, not without though. Based on the free agent defenders they’ve signed & unless they draft one of the best defensive classes of all time, I can’t see the D improving that much. I was all for Bowles getting fired, but I was concerned Mike would leave anyway (I would’ve been more prepared for it) with a new HC – again, we’ll never know. I’m not the kind of fan who ever roots against the Bucs; I want to see them win. Joe, I hope they prove me wrong this year, but I have little faith that they will win a lot of games, let alone win the NFC South. Then again, if they do, that means Bowles stays, & how weird would that be to lose a HOF player & go to the playoffs with a HC that so many want fired?
March 16th, 2026 at 8:18 pm
If the Bucs defense improves to just being mediocre and out special teams turns it around, which they should with addition of our new special teams coach guru, Killebrew and Ko Kieft returning, that will go a very long way to improving the team this year.
Even if the offense remains stagnant, those improvements, alone, should get the Bucs to at least 10 wins.
Again, it always comes down to health. Barring a rash of significant injuries, the Bucs still have a far better team than any other one in the NFC South.
Carolina, on paper, improved their defense with players that have major repeated injury issues, incidentally.
March 16th, 2026 at 8:54 pm
With the added experience and the exit of the senior statesman, the young and talented receiver group — assisted by an experienced mentor — will shine brighter this year.
March 16th, 2026 at 9:40 pm
I celebrate all wins. It’s ungrateful not to. The best first step to the Super Bowl is winning your division. That’s why, contrary to popular belief, the Bucs have a better chance than the 49ers. And I don’t go for this worst division stuff. The AFC North is a shambles; all the coaches being replaced except the undependable Bungles’. The NFC East is up for grabs; a year ago people here mocked the Commanders, but they could win the division this year with their solid new running back. Or, in baseball, everybody touting the ALEast as the big power. How many world championships have they won in the last dozen years? Yes, winning your division is a big deal, whatever division you’re in. If we win the South in 2026, i’ll be happy to pop some corks. Let the losers go around mumbling about it being no big deal.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:45 pm
Even with the reasonable signings that in theory should improve the defense I think you’re looking at 7-9 wins under this HC.
That’s who he is unfortunately, IMO.
March 17th, 2026 at 2:12 am
I’m not screaming FIRE BOWLES,that ship has sailed long ago. I want the Buc Brain trust to hire a Defensive Cordinator or at least a Qualified play caller thats not Bowles himself. We need a infusion of aggressive, physical play on our Defense. I think they are trying to get better on Defense ,they have hired FA help that is better than the players they replaced for sure, but now it’s time to revamp the Bucs Defensive scheme . Winning the worse division in the NFL ISN’T enough we need to win a playoff game , not have the typical mid-season swoon & play consistently all season.Our Offense should or maybe could be one of the best without ME13 , our receivers wll flourish imo. Our Defense needs to play way more physical football. I think we need a AGRESSIVE DEFENSIVE SCHEME that brings back the play of the true BUCCANEERS DEFENSE, FAST ,PHYSICAL. SMART FIRE breathers. GOOOO BUCS!!!!
March 17th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Bowles should of been fired with leftwich. We lose at least 4 games a year due to his coaching. But dude above me is right , we should hire a DC and let him focus on being a head coach. Offenses have evolved and his play calling hasn’t. Whenever you see the DBs 5 YARDS off the line , and they back peddle to 10 yards before the snap, the game is over. He stops doing what works and goes into prevent, except when we need it like last year against the panthers right before the half. It would of been nice if we kept Liam. We need a alpha to lead alphas
March 17th, 2026 at 4:23 pm
813bucboi Says:
March 16th, 2026 at 11:09 am
HeavyE Says:
March 16th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Our QB will find away to put us in the cellar of the division!
baker will most likely lead the NFL in INTs and Fumbles again..
GO BUCS!!!!
____________________________________________________________
Is this an 813BucBoi sympathizer or is it just 813BucBoi changing names to make it seems like multiple people agree with him lmao. Get a grip brotha. Your “Defensive Guru” pushed the best WR we had out and his defense is garbage. 3rd and 28!!!! Hell even better. 4th and 14!!!! But keep blaming the wrong people.